Thursday, September 08, 2016

Messianism, Outreach, and the Army

Since the passing of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, R' Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, when you mention
Chabad or Lubavitch to most non Chabad Orthodox Jews, one of the first things
that comes to mind is their Messianism (Meshichism).

Meshichism with respect to Chabad is the idea that in some way shape or form, they see their late Rebbe as either still alive laying in wait behind the scenes about to
reveal himself as the Messiah ; or that
he died but will be resurrected as the Messiah in a 2nd coming. In both
cases - at some time in the not too distant future. There are also those that do not
think he will return as the Messiah - but allow (and perhaps even hope) for
that possibility. I believe that most Lubavitchers fall somewhere in between these
extremes – with most leaning to the latter.

There are some that completely reject that idea the way the
rest of Orthodoxy does. But I believe they are a relatively small percentage. And
there are even less that go completely the other way and have referred to him
as God – to be resurrected as the Messiah! (…sound familiar?) But they are even
rarer and are completely rejected by all the Chabad leadership.

Why should we care what other people believe? We shouldn’t unless
it affects the rest of us in significant ways. There are those like Rabbi Dr.
David Berger who believe it does. He has done extensive research on Chabad and worries that these
beliefs border on being (if not actual) Avodah Zarah (idol worship).

They worry bacause Lubavitchers are completely integrated into the world of
Kashrus. And that could have a disastrous effect on the Kosher food industry. Meat or meat products derived of a Shechitah (ritual slaughtering) done by an idol
worshiper is not considered Kosher. And the reality is that the Shochtim for Hashgacha
agencies like the OU includes Lubavitchers. It may be true that they are
carefully vetted. But who really knows what is on their minds. When there is
reason to suspect a problem, shouldn’t that be a concern?

I am personally convinced that such beliefs are not Avodah Zara. As Rav Ahron
Soloveichik put it – Their messianic beliefs are Shtus (nonsense) but nowhere near approaching Avodah
Zara.

Even Rav Shach whose antipathy towards Chabad was well known
did not reject them as observant Jews. An example of that was his support of Rabbi Adin Steinslatz outreach work in Russia. Rabbi Steinsaltz’s connection with
Chabad and his admiration for the Rebbe as a foremost leader in Klal Yisroel was well known.
Rav Shach also told his own supporters not to reject the legitimacy Lubavicth Chasidim – that his battles with
Chabad were his own and not to be emulated by his followers.

Chabad’s messianic views are not talked about so much these
days. Not even among Lubavitchers. Now - 24 years after his death, that talk
has all but disappeared. At least in public. Except in Lubavitch headquarters in Crown Heights (770) and in Israel where
it seem to be alive and well. Most mainstream Lubavitchers – at least outside
of Israel - have resumed focus on the mandate created for them by their late Rebbe to
reach out to fellow non observant Jews all over the world.

I’m told that there are more Lubavitch Shiluchim (emissaries)
in more locations throughout the world then there were even when the Rebbe was
alive. In some cases they can be found in the remotest of locations where few if
any other Orthodox Jews would be willing to live and raise a family. They are virtually
the only ones willing to do it. And they do it in spades!

Chabad is the shining example of outreach we should all try
to emulate – albeit in our own way.

And now comes yet another thing they have done that should
be emulated. In particular by the Charedi world in Israel. It is something I
have been advocating for years now. From Arutz Sheva:

Leaders of the Chabad Lubavitch movement signed off on a
deal with the IDF which would exempt 15 percent of their yeshiva students from
the draft, according to Mendy Reisel of Kol Rama.

According to the agreement, 15 percent of Chabad students
will get a complete exemption from military service, so they can focus on being
emissaries of Chabad. Chabad rabbis and the IDF will jointly vet the students
who would receive this exemption.

This means that 85% of all Lubavitchers will be drafted. The
IDF has agreed to compromise with Chabad which can be seen in the details of this
agreement. But the bottom line is that the vast majority will be doing their
share of army service – just like the
rest of Israel’s citizens.

This is how the rest of the Yeshiva world (...the Chasidic world is an entirely different conversation) should be dealing
with this issue. Instead of demanding all yeshiva students be exempt. Especially
now that the government has promised to accommodate Charedi Hashakafos. That
the IDF has not completely lived up to those promises is a detail to worked
out. But in theory they should be doing what Chabad just did. Which is all Yair
Lapid was asking for when his party Yesh Atid was in the governing coalition in
the least Keneset.

And yet they refuse to do it, vilifying those who support it
as anti Torah. Even clearly Orthodox Jews like former Kenesset member, Rabbi Dov Lipman. Leaving aside the
Meshichist issue (which is irrelevant) do they now think what Chabad did is
anti Torah too? Neturei Karta now thinks so.

How great it would be if Charedim in Israel followed Chabad’s
lead on this issue! That would go far in changing the hearts and minds of secular Jews about Charedim and foster a new climate of respect and cooperation for one another - which would do wonders for outreach.

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About Me

My outlook on Judaism is based mostly on the teachings of my primary Rebbe, Rabbi Aaron Soloveichik from whom I received my rabbinic ordination. It is also based on a search for spiritual truth. Among the various sources that put me on the right path, two great philosophic works stand out: “Halakhic Man” and “Lonely Man of Faith” authored by the pre-eminent Jewish philosopher and theologian, Rabbi, Dr. Joseph B. Soloveitchik. Of great significance is Rabbi, Dr. Norman Lamm's conceptualization and models of Torah U’Mada and Dr. Eliezer Berkovits who introduced me to the world of philosophic thought. Among my early influences were two pioneers of American Elementary Torah Chinuch, Rabbis Shmuel Kaufman and Yaakov Levi. The Yeshivos I attended were Yeshivas Telshe for early high school and more significantly, the Hebrew Theological College where for a period of ten years, my Rebbeim included such great Rabbinic figures as Rabbis Mordechai Rogov, Shmaryahu Meltzer, Yaakov Perlow, Herzl Kaplan, and Selig Starr. I also attended Roosevelt University where I received my Bachelor's Degree - majoring in Psychology.